A week after grabbing the attention of the soccer world with it’s stunning performance run to the Confederations Cup final, the U.S. National Team is already back Saturday against Grenada (9 p.m. FSC) in the Gold Cup. And what better day to start defending its crown on home soil than July 4?

Granted, this isn’t quite the same roster that beat world No. 1 Spain 2-0 in the semis and led five-time World Cup champ Brazil by the same score at halftime. But it’s a young, hungry group looking to earn a title, and perhaps earn their way onto coach Bob Bradley’s World Cup team next summer.

“I think it’s important…The Gold Cup is a chance to follow up the success from the Confederations Cup with hopefully defending our title,” Bradley said.

“There are always challenges in the schedule…That doesn’t take away our strong feeling that this is the championship of our Confederation, that we’re defending champs…It’s always important to represent the U.S. in the right way. We know our fans still look at this event as being very important, and we’re excited to get going.” Because of the quick turnaround, CONCACAF gave them permission to add seven players to their 23-man roster. Don’t be surprised to see late addition Jozy Altidore _ who needs all the playing time he can find _ paired up top with Brian Ching or Charlie Davies again.

Altidore may be cementing his spot, but other youngsters like Freddy Adu, 20, have much to prove _ and this could be their last, best chance to prove it.

“I think that at this time Jozy has shown that he is closer to being able to step onto the field with us to help, to contribute in that part of the field. It hasn’t been as clear with Freddy,” Bradley said of Adu. “It’s important that Freddy can now, with his club team, make the next step.

“Certainly, we recognize that there is talent and, yet, it’s not easy to come into a national team during a period when you’re not playing and to play against the likes of Italy, Spain, and Brazil. But having him in the group is a way of letting him know that we still want to push him forward.”

The Confederations Cup run was only possible because they won the 2007 Gold Cup, a trophy Mexico is desperate to win back. The U.S. climbed to 12th in Wednesday’s FIFA rankings, while El Tri fell to 33. And if the rivalry wasn’t stoked enough from the U.S. padding its roster or taking the Gold Cup, it will be by the U.S. taking Mexico’s players.

Edgar Castillo announced he’s use a new FIFA rule to switch national teams. He _ like German Jermaine Jones _ must await paperwork to make the move. His first game could be an Aug. 12 World Cup qualifier _ in Mexico.

“We had a very good last week at the Confederations Cup; I think Bob understands that,” said USSF president Sunil Gulati. “The players and all of us involved understand how hard it is to be on that winner’s podium at a big competition. So those sorts of goals are maybe a little bit more in sight now, but not quite within grasp. But I think everyone has a better appreciation.

“Overall, the experience on and off the field in South Africa, for everyone in our program, was a very positive one. The ultimate goal for American soccer, for the U.S. Men’s team is to win at the very highest competition, and that’s the World Cup. I’m not going to predict that will happen next summer, but that’s the goal. It’s been that way for…everyone involved.”

And the Gold Cup will go a long way into rounding out the roster that will go back to South Africa taking aim at that World Cup.